Responding vs Reacting

Our relationship with the world around us whether it be other people, things, or events,
and our experience of life - is determined by the way in which we relate to it. Hence, it is
our relationship with each one that truly determines what kind of life we have, lead and
experience.

When people around us do or say something that involves us - directly or indirectly - we
either RESPOND or REACT and there are consequences to each course of action. The
same goes for when an event occurs in our life. We either respond or react to it. For example, we might feel annoyed if someone continually bumps into us on a crowded bus. We might be tempted to REACT with a negative statement which might escalate the incident into a public confrontation which helps no one.

However, if you noticed those feelings of annoyance and frustration while thinking to
yourself: "What can I do about this?," and chose any number of Responsible actions,
such as moving to a less crowded area, then the action is of Response.
The action of responding becomes an act of freedom and consequently has power within
it. Response creates an opportunity and is in alignment with your commitments. It is also, by definition, an action of responsibility.

Twenty - seven years ago, the faith based community was overwhelmed with requests for assistance in the face of a very tough economic downturn, not unlike today. While they didn't have control over the economy, they could control their response. They chose to pool their resources to help more people. Their RESPONSE was Northwest Assistance Ministries. NAM has touched and transformed thousands of lives over the last twenty-seven years through the generosity of neighbors who choose to share their time and resources to lend a hand to make the community a kinder place for all who enter NAM's doors.

So while we may want to REACT to a bad economy by feeling depressed or overwhelmed, we can always RESPOND by taking control and getting involved to make things better instead of reacting to the negative.